HB 958 -- INTERIOR DESIGNERS

SPONSOR:  Stoll

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Professional Registration and Licensing by a vote of 13 to 2.

This bill establishes registration for interior designers under
the Interior Design Council, which is created by the bill within
the Division of Professional Registration.  To become registered
an individual is required to pass examinations administered and
certified by the National Council for Interior Design
Qualification or examinations offered by the American Institute
of Interior Designers.  Individuals may also be registered if
they have accumulated at least 15 years of experience in
performing interior design.

The bill contains provisions for registration and renewal,
collecting of fees, suspension and revocation, reciprocity,
fraud, and misrepresentation.

The bill establishes the Interior Designer Council Fund.  The
fund will be used for the operation and administration of the
council.

Violation of any provisions of this bill is a class A
misdemeanor.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Cost to General Revenue Fund of
$5,041 in FY 97, $6,233 in FY 98, and $6,420 in FY 99.
Estimated Net Effect to Professional Registration Fees Fund Cost
of $75,798 in FY 97, Increase of $75,798 in FY 98, and Increase
of $0 in FY 99.  Estimated Net Effect to Interior Designer
Council Fund Increase of $209,250 in FY 97, Cost of $137,672 in
FY 98, and Increase of $152,850 in FY 99.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that this is a title bill. It will
give the public an opportunity to choose between those who have
the educational background in interior designing and those who
don't.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Stoll; Les
Armatauge; Kay Hagen; Dr. Smith, University of Missouri; and the
Kansas City Society of Interior Designers.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that the public is not
at risk and the bill would create unfair business practices in
the field of interior design.

Testifying against the bill were American Institute of
Architects; Missouri Institute of Architects; and the Missouri
Home Builders Association.

Bob Dominique, Research Analyst

HB 958 -- Licensing of Interior Designers

Sponsor:  Stoll

This bill establishes registration for interior designers under
the Interior Design Council, which is created by the bill within
the Division of Professional Registration.  To become registered
an individual is required to pass examinations administered and
certified by the National Council for Interior Design
Qualification or examinations offered by the American Institute
of Interior Designers.  Individuals may also be registered if
they have accumulated at least 15 years of experience in
performing interior design.

The bill contains provisions for registration and renewal,
collecting of fees, suspension and revocation, reciprocity,
fraud, and misrepresentation.

The bill establishes the Interior Designer Council Fund.  The
fund will be used for the operation and administration of the
council.

Violation of any provisions of this bill is a class A
misdemeanor.